inward

adjective in·ward \ ˈin-wərd \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of inward

1 : situated on the inside : inner

2 a : of or relating to the mind or spirit

inward peace

b : absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life : introspective

3 : marked by close acquaintance : familiar

4 : directed toward the interior

See inward defined for English-language learners

See inward defined for kids

Examples of inward in a Sentence

moved towards the inward room for more privacy
he's more inward with the president than most members of the cabinet

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

Over the years Britain has attracted more inward investment than most other European countries.

— The Economist, "Why foreign investment into Britain remains so strong," 5 Apr. 2018
According to the report, Apple is working on iPhone displays that would have an inward curve from the top to bottom instead of the flat displays the company has used since the handset’s release in 2007.

— don reisinger, Fortune, "Apple Said to Be Working on a Curved iPhone With Touchless Controls," 4 Apr. 2018
But Word for Word hasn’t quite made the case that that inward battle still engages off the page.

— lily janiak, San Francisco Chronicle, "Words fail in ‘Lucia Berlin: Stories,’ rare misstep for usually polished company," 19 Feb. 2018
In 2017, inward investment on feature films leaped 23 percent on 2016 to $2.4 billion, according to new figures from the British Film Institute, released Wednesday.

— alex ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, "Hollywood Investment in U.K. Film Industry Leaps 26 Percent to Record $2.4 Billion," 31 Jan. 2018
Singing in both Spanish and English, frontwoman Victoria Ruiz’s battle cries covered net neutrality and Trump’s border wall alongside inward avowals of self-worth and her Chicana identity.

— billboard staff, Billboard, "The 25 Best Rock Albums of 2017: Critics' Picks," 20 Dec. 2017
Milk and Honey is very much an inward journey, whereas The Sun and Her Flowers is outward.

— ella ceron, Teen Vogue, "Rupi Kaur Talks "The Sun and Her Flowers" and How She Handles Social Media's Response to Her Work," 4 Oct. 2017
In one poignant scene, Christopher performs a slow dreamer’s yoga on and around a chair while a galaxy of starlight gently swirls about him – an inward but infinite escape from the overwhelming world that always awaits when the lights go up.

— steve mannheimer, Indianapolis Star, "Review: IRT's 'Curious Incident' a sensory, moving show told through a young detective's watchful eyes," 26 Sep. 2017
This whole holiday — Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur — is very much about doing the inward work of looking at ourselves, both individually and in the community.

— eugene scott, Washington Post, "Religion is increasingly less of a focus for America’s Jewish community. What does that mean for its political influence?," 21 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inward.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of inward

Middle English, from Old English inweard (akin to Old High German inwert), from in + -weard ¹-ward

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

inward Synonyms

inward

adverb \ ˈin-wərd \

variants: or inwards play \ˈin-wərdz\

Definition of inward

1 : toward the inside, center, or interior

2 : toward the inner being

See inward defined for English-language learners

Examples of inward in a Sentence

The window faces inward toward the courtyard.
He turned his attention inward.

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

The undulating piece is meant to feel womblike and reflects sound inward.

— diana budds, Curbed, "5 reasons why Neri Oxman is more important than Brad Pitt right now," 11 Apr. 2018
The model stepped out on Saturday in a blonde wig, ends bent gently inward at the collarbone, her gaze framed by serrated brow-dusting bangs.

— calin van paris, Vogue, "Bella Hadid Officially Has an Alter Ego—And She's Blonde," 9 Apr. 2018
From the astronomer’s perspective, to look outward is to look inward.

— alan hirshfeld, WSJ, "‘Searching for Stars on an Island in Maine’ Review: A Longing for Truth and Meaning," 6 Apr. 2018
Experts delved into a selection of NASA’s current Earth science campaigns, showing the audience that NASA doesn’t just look outward to the stars—but also inward toward Earth.

— ryan p. smith, Smithsonian, "The Real Science Behind Your Favorite Nerd Culture at Awesome Con," 5 Apr. 2018
Apple is reportedly also developing a curved display for the iPhone that gradually curves inward from top to bottom.

— valentina palladino, Ars Technica, "Future iPhones could have curved screens, respond to a wave of your finger," 4 Apr. 2018
Apple is also developing iPhone displays that curve inward gradually from top to bottom, one of the people familiar with the situation said.

— mark gurman, Houston Chronicle, "Apple working on touchless controls, curved iPhone screen," 4 Apr. 2018
And imagine that the photon pair is created so that one of the two is pointing inward—toward you, at the center of the black hole, holding your ray gun.

— christoph adami, Newsweek, "How Stephen Hawking's Black Hole Discoveries Rewrote Physics of Space-Time," 19 Mar. 2018
Nadia had turned her pain inward toward herself and Baldwin realizes at that moment that you are born back against your own trauma; that there is no escape from it.

— ron gilmer, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Counterpart': A Deep Dive Into the Season Finale With Creator Justin Marks," 1 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of inward

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

inward

noun

Definition of inward

1 : something that is inward

2 inwards play \ˈin-ərdz, -wərdz\ plural : innards

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

Meanwhile, Chinese state media and government officials have seized on the dispute as an opportunity to portray China as a champion of free trade at a time when the US is turning inwards.

— michael holtz, The Christian Science Monitor, "US versus China: How a tussle for advantage fuels risk of a trade war," 12 Apr. 2018
For Richman and his family, the inward and the outward were immediately intertwined.

— isabel fattal, The Atlantic, "The Power of Grief-Fueled Activism," 2 Mar. 2018
Then run the laces back into the next hole—from the outside of the shoe inwards—to create a loop.

— alexander george, Popular Mechanics, "This is the Right Way To Tie Your Running Shoes," 12 May 2015
LaPorte coach Louis Kuzdas said the new inward focus for Gomez was something that often happens to wrestlers entering their final high school season.

— dave melton, Post-Tribune, "No limits for Skyler: Gomez stays away from internet, hits new heights for LaPorte," 19 Dec. 2017
Now, time for the fun part: Holding skin taut, start with the blade at the top of your cheekbone and work inwards toward your nose.

— lisa desantis, Health.com, "This Facial Hair Removal Tool Has an Unexpected Bonus That Blew Me Away," 18 Dec. 2017
In its fourth season, BoJack Horseman took a notable inward turn, often rendering the psychological turmoil of its characters in strikingly visual fashion.

— lenika cruz, The Atlantic, "Where BoJack Horseman Season 4 Shone Brightest," 15 Dec. 2017
At a time when America is turning inwards and its president is weaker at home and less effective abroad than any of his recent predecessors, Mr Xi has claimed the mantle.

— The Economist, "The Economist’s editors pick the ten covers that define 2017," 14 Dec. 2017
During periods of ethnic strife in the 20th century hyphenated-Indian communities turned inwards for self-protection.

— The Economist, "The legacy of Indian migration to European colonies," 31 Aug. 2017

First Known Use of inward

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

INWARD Defined for English Language Learners

inward

adjective

Definition of inward for English Language Learners

: of or relating to a person's mind or spirit
: directed or moving toward the inside of something

inward

adverb

Definition of inward for English Language Learners

: toward the inside of something
: toward the mind or spirit

INWARD Defined for Kids

inward

adjective in·ward \ ˈin-wərd \

Definition of inward for Students

1 : toward the inside or center

an inward curve

2 : of or concerning the mind or spirit

He felt inward joy.

inward

adverb

variants: or inwards \-wərdz\

Definition of inward for Students

1 : toward the inside or center

The door opens inward.

2 : toward the mind or spirit

I turned my thoughts inward.

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inward

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Origin and Etymology of inward

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inward

Definition of inward

Examples of inward in a Sentence

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

First Known Use of inward

inward

Definition of inward

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

First Known Use of inward

INWARD Defined for English Language Learners

inward

Definition of inward for English Language Learners

inward

Definition of inward for English Language Learners

INWARD Defined for Kids

inward

Definition of inward for Students

inward

Definition of inward for Students

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